• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets the crowds during Friday prayers in the capital Tehran. AFP
    Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets the crowds during Friday prayers in the capital Tehran. AFP
  • An image grab from footage obtained from the state-run Iran Press news agency on January 17, 2020 shows Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leading the main weekly prayers in Tehran. AFP
    An image grab from footage obtained from the state-run Iran Press news agency on January 17, 2020 shows Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leading the main weekly prayers in Tehran. AFP
  • Khamenei used this platform to attack the US and Europe and to defend the IRGC over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Tehran, killing all 176 on board. AFP
    Khamenei used this platform to attack the US and Europe and to defend the IRGC over the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in Tehran, killing all 176 on board. AFP
  • Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane, at the Tehran university in Iran. EPA
    Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane, at the Tehran university in Iran. EPA
  • Anti-government protesters attend a demonstration blaming the government for the delayed announcement of the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian plane last week, at the Tehran University campus. AP Photo
    Anti-government protesters attend a demonstration blaming the government for the delayed announcement of the unintentional downing of a Ukrainian plane last week, at the Tehran University campus. AP Photo
  • Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP
    Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP
  • Students protest to show their sympathy to victims of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 at the Tehran University. EPA
    Students protest to show their sympathy to victims of Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-800 at the Tehran University. EPA
  • Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP
    Students gather for a demonstration over the downing of a Ukrainian airliner at Tehran University. AFP
  • Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane at the Tehran university. EPA
    Students light candles during a memorial ceremony for passengers of Ukraine airplane at the Tehran university. EPA
  • Students attend a memorial for the victims of the Ukraine plane crash, in University of Tehran. AFP
    Students attend a memorial for the victims of the Ukraine plane crash, in University of Tehran. AFP
  • Students hold pictures of victims during a memorial for the passengers of the Ukraine plane crash in University of Tehran. AFP
    Students hold pictures of victims during a memorial for the passengers of the Ukraine plane crash in University of Tehran. AFP

US-Iran tensions latest updates: US looks to cut Iraq military aid if troops expelled

Follow the latest developments after Iran admitted its military shot down the plane and anti-regime demonstrations flared across the country

The National

January 15, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed plans for a new “Trump deal” to end Tehran’s ambitions for a nuclear weapon as he called on US forces to leave the region.

In a televised speech, Mr Rouhani called for a return to the 2015 nuclear deal, describing the offer of a new agreement as “strange”. He said that US President Donald Trump could not be trusted to keep his promises.

Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, raised the prospect for a new deal overseen by Donald Trump on Tuesday, a suggestion heartily endorsed by the US president who wants to curtail Iran’s nuclear and missile programme and rein in its regional proxies.

Other developments include:

• Iran's flight downing highlights need for regime change, says former Canadian PM

• Britain’s envoy to Iran leaves Tehran on ‘pre-planned visit'

• Russia urges Gulf states to form common security mechanism

• Why the Afghanistan experience of Esmail Qaani, the man who replaced Suleimani, propelled him to the top job

Iran